Dengue spike fuels concerns of public health threat in previously untouched countries: WHO

Another malaria milestone as WHO declares Cabo Verde free of deadly disease

The certification is expected to drive progress on other health fronts in the country such as using the systems built for controlling malaria to fight other mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue fever. “I salute the Government and people of Cabo Verde for their unwavering commitment and resilience in their journey to eliminating malaria,” said Tedros Adhanom…

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World News in Brief: COVID risk still high worldwide, massive Congo flood displacement, concern over Sri Lanka drugs crackdown

World News in Brief: COVID risk still high worldwide, massive Congo flood displacement, concern over Sri Lanka drugs crackdown

The virus is still circulating globally but relatively few countries are following infections closely, meaning the actual threat due to the coronavirus and its variants could be anything from two to 19 times higher than what is being reported to WHO. The agency’s COVID focal point, Dr Maria Van Kerhove, told journalists in Geneva that…

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WMO confirms 2023 as warmest year on record ‘by a huge margin’

WMO confirms 2023 as warmest year on record ‘by a huge margin’

The World Meteorological Organization uses six leading international datasets from across the globe to monitor global temperatures, which reveal a new annual temperature average of 1.45°C set against the pre-industrial era (1850-1900).  Every month between June and December set new records. July and August were the two hottest months ever recorded, WMO said. The 1.5°C…

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UPDATING LIVE: Security Council meets on widening crisis in the Middle East

UPDATING LIVE: Security Council meets on widening crisis in the Middle East

Video feed of the meeting, expected to start at 3 PM. 4:48 PM We must work towards Palestinian State: France Nicolas de Rivière, Ambassador of France, which holds the Council presidency for January, spoke in his national capacity, saying efforts must focus immediately towards a lasting ceasefire, with the help of all regional and international…

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Gaza ceasefire ‘more urgent than ever’ as conflict approaches 100-day mark

Gaza ceasefire ‘more urgent than ever’ as conflict approaches 100-day mark

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s grim milestone, Spokesperson Liz Throssell reiterated the need for OHCHR staff to have access to Israel and all parts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory to investigate human rights violations by all parties. Fourteen weeks have passed since Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups carried out bloody attacks against Israel on 7…

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Gaza: South Africa levels accusations of ‘genocidal conduct’ against Israel at world court

Gaza: South Africa levels accusations of ‘genocidal conduct’ against Israel at world court

The development came amid the ongoing and massive Israeli bombardment across the Gaza Strip in response to Hamas-led terror attacks on 7 October that left some 1,200 Israeli and foreign nationals dead in southern Israel and some 250 taken hostage. Laying out their case, the South African legal team told the International Court of Justice…

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